Membership will extend the firm’s reach across more than 100 countries for Scottish and international clients
Leading independent Scottish law firm, Thorntons, has become the first Scottish member of Multilaw, one of the world’s foremost networks of independent commercial law firms, operating across more than 100 countries and spanning every major business jurisdiction.
The membership marks a significant milestone in Thorntons’ strategic growth, securing its position as the go-to Scottish firm for clients with multi-jurisdictional needs and strengthening its ability to coordinate complex international matters with trusted legal partners worldwide.
A firm of scale, with offices in major centres including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen, and serving more than 300,000 businesses and individuals, Thorntons has long operated at the intersection of Scottish and international law.
The firm has built a strong track record of handling complex cross-border transactions, financing arrangements, intellectual property disputes, insolvency appointments and high-value private client matters, frequently acting in close coordination with legal advisers in overseas jurisdictions. Joining Multilaw formalises and amplifies its existing capability, providing Thorntons and its clients direct, structured access to pre-vetted, high-calibre legal expertise around the globe.
Cross-border legal work takes many forms. Scottish businesses expanding into overseas markets, or international companies establishing a presence in Scotland, frequently require coordinated advice on corporate transactions, commercial contracts and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions. Finance arrangements involving foreign lenders or assets, intellectual property portfolios that span international markets, employment and immigration matters arising from globally mobile workforces, and insolvency appointments with an international dimension all demand close collaboration between legal advisers in different countries.
Private clients, particularly those with assets, family connections or tax obligations in more than one jurisdiction, also increasingly require their Scottish solicitors to work in concert with overseas counterparts.
Lesley Larg, managing partner, Thorntons, said:
“Joining Multilaw is a statement of intent. Thorntons has always been a firm that punches above its weight. We have the expertise, the breadth of practice and the national footprint to go head-to-head with the largest firms operating in Scotland. Multilaw membership gives us the international infrastructure to match that ambition. Our clients increasingly operate across borders, and they deserve a firm that can move with them. This is the right network, at the right time, for Thorntons and for Scotland.”
Founded in 1990, Multilaw is a well-established, rigorously curated network comprising independent law firms across more than 100 countries. Membership is selective, each member firm is chosen for its professional standing, depth of expertise and commitment to delivering consistent, high-quality service to international clients. This means that when Thorntons refers a client matter overseas, or receives an inbound referral from abroad, both parties can rely on the same standard of legal professionalism and client service.
Adam Cooke, CEO, Multilaw, said:
"Thorntons is exactly the kind of firm Multilaw is built around. A highly respected, full service Scottish firm with real depth across key practice areas and a clear ambition to operate on an international stage.
Their appointment gives us the coverage we need in Scotland and further strengthens the support we can provide to clients with cross border needs. We are delighted to welcome Thorntons to the network and look forward to a long, dynamic, and successful relationship.”
Thorntons will be represented within the Multilaw network by three senior partners: Alistair Lang, corporate; Jacqueline Moore, immigration and global mobility; and Chris Gardiner, private wealth.